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. 2020 Feb 25:11:147.
doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2020.00147. eCollection 2020.

Objectified Body Consciousness, Body Image Control in Photos, and Problematic Social Networking: The Role of Appearance Control Beliefs

Valentina Boursier  1 , Francesca Gioia  1 , Mark D Griffiths  2
Affiliations

Objectified Body Consciousness, Body Image Control in Photos, and Problematic Social Networking: The Role of Appearance Control Beliefs

Valentina Boursier et al. Front Psychol. .

Abstract

At present, adolescents' photo-taking and photo-sharing on social media represent ubiquitous practices and objectified body consciousness (OBC) might offer a useful framework to explore online self-presentation and social networking site (SNS) use. Indeed, SNS might represent a highly accessible medium for socializing with self-objectification. However, the relationship between OBC components and problematic SNS use is still understudied. The present study evaluated the previously unexplored predictive role of appearance control beliefs on problematic SNS use, testing the mediating effect of body image control in photos (BICP) across male and female groups. A total of 693 adolescents (55% females; mean age 16 years) participated in the study. Results showed the negatively predictive role of appearance control beliefs on control over body image in photos. Moreover, BICP mediated the appearance control beliefs' negative effect on problematic SNS use in girls. The present study tested the unexplored effect of appearance control beliefs upon problematic SNS use, contributing to the OBC research field and the ongoing debate concerning predictive and protective factors in problematic SNS use.

Keywords: adolescence; appearance control beliefs; body image; objectified body consciousness; problematic social network site use; social networking.

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Figures

FIGURE 1
FIGURE 1
The overall mediation model with standardized path coefficients and the explained variance of the endogen variables (R2). The mediator variable is a latent variable. Simple arrows: significant path coefficients, dotted arrows: non-significant path coefficients. Selfie, selfie-related factors subscale; Privacy, privacy filter behaviors subscale; PosIm, positive body image factors subscale; SexAttr, sexual attraction factors subscale; NegIm, negative body image factors subscale. ∗∗p < 0.01; ∗∗∗p < 0.001.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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